by Carol Belanger

Created on: January 31, 2011

Toasted skin syndrome also known as laptop induced dermatitis is a darkening of the skin with a net like pattern.  In medical terms it is a skin condition called Erythema Ab Igne.  The term comes from the Latin meaning “redness from fire”.  It is also known as “chronic heat dermatitis” and this condition is brought about from exposure to heat. This prolonged exposure or repeated exposure to heat leads to damage to the skin at the cellular level.

This syndrome is not new as it was first observed on people who work close to extreme heat, like the furnace of old trains, wood ovens, coal stoves or open fires. It could also be observed on people who have overused heated pads or blankets.   

 In 2004 there were incidents of mottled skin and discoloration on the legs reported; the cause was diagnosed as laptops placed directly on the lap and thus named laptop induced dermatitis or toasted skin syndrome.

 Laptop induced dermatitis leaves a net-like pattern of brownish red lines and depending on the severity of the dermal layers may leave permanent scarring.  I have read several articles about laptop induced dermatitis and have read that young children are more susceptible to this condition as in the case of a 12 year old boy playing games on his laptop for hours at a time.  However it is not just exposure to heat for long periods it can also come about by repeated exposures to heat.  There is also a concern among doctors that people with toasted skin syndrome may be at risk of developing skin cancers although at this time no cases have been reported.  Although it seems to be that chronic and prolonged inflammation of the skin can increase the risk for squamous cell carcinoma (squamous cells are found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the lining of the hollow organs of the body, and the passages of the respiratory and digestive tracts. Thus, squamous cell carcinomas can actually arise in any of these tissues).

 The skin damage of prolonged use of a laptop on your lap without a cooling pad or some protection to your lap, and standing to close to your wood stove or any heat source for that matter are real.  Additionally clothing does not provide enough protection to your legs from your laptop.

 Since laptop induced dermatitis is an authenticated condition and can cause permanent discoloration of the skin, major manufacturers such as Apple, HP, and Dell have placed a warning in their user manuals against placing laptops on laps or exposed skin.

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